Label dispensing machine



April 19, 1960 COLE LABEL DISPENSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.20, 1955 :6 51 1M .23 o z-"a" I N V EN TOR. GZWMj @Z April 19, 1960 s.E. COLE LABEL DISPENSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 20, 1955 1@EZerakZj A ril 19, 1960 G. E. COLE 2,933,216

LABEL DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 20, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Unitid t sP ent LABEL DISPENSING MACHINE Gerald E. Cole, Highland Park, Ill.,assignor to Kleengltlik Products, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation ofinois Application December 20, 1955, Serial No. 554,230

20 Claims. (Cl. 221 -73) The principal object of this invention is toprovide an improved machine for dispensing labels from a rolled backingstrip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon wherein the labelsareso dispensed that they may be readily applied to objects without needfor handling the labels. In the past, in applying labels to objects, ithas been necessary to manually pick up the dispensed labels and also theobjects, and then manually apply the labels to the objects. These manualoperations are largely reduced by the use of the machine of thisinvention, it not being necessary to pick up or manipulate the dispensedlabels, thereby greatly reducing the time and effort required forlabeling.

In accordance with this invention; the labels are sequentially dispensedfrom the backing strip with their adhesive sides facing upwardly onto aplatforrn or conveyor'. To apply the labels to the objects to belabeled,all that is required is to pick up the objects and press them againstthe labels disposed on the platform or conveyor, no handling of thelabels being necessary, As an example, the machine of this invention isparticularly useful in applying the labels to the ends of lipstickcontainers or the like. I

Further objects of this invention reside in the details of constructionof the label dispensing machine and in the cooperative relationshipsbetween the component parts thereof.

Other objects, and advantages of this invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanyingspecification, claims and drawings, in which: v V

Fig. l is a side elevational view of the label dispensing machine ofthis invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view looking from the left in Fig. l. eFig. 3 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrica connections to thevarious electrical parts of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the label dispensing. ma chine, but drawnon a larger scale.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the label dispensing machine asillustrated in Fig; 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of Fig.5. I

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line77 of Fig. 4. g

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line8-8 of Fig. 7. A

Fig.9 is a perspective view of the breaker member utilized in the labeldispensing machine. v

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view showing the manner in which aroller assists in dispensing the labels from the backing sheet.

The label dispensing machine is generally designated at 10 and itincludes a frame having a pair of parallel side plates .11and 12', whichare suitably secured together in spacedapart relation. The side plates11 and 12 are provided at their bottoms with brackets 13 .by which theyare secured to a supporting base consisting of tubular labels.

2,933,216 Patented Apr. 19, 1960 legs 14 and 15, which are braced by atubular brace 16. The base may be provided with suitable casters 17 sothat the machine may be readily moved from place to place if this bedesired.

Secured to and depending from the side plate 12 is a bracket 18 having abearing support 19, forming a support for a roll of backed labels.Mounted on the hearing support 19 is a reel having hub portions 20 andside members 21 for carrying the roll 22 of backed labels. The hubportions 20 are provided with t-ensioning means for resiliently opposingunwinding of the roll 22 of backed The roll 22 includes a backing strip23 on which labels 24 are secured. Preferably the labels 24 are pro}vided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive by which the labels are securedto the backing strip 23 and by which the labels are secured to theobjects to be labeled. As shown, the labelsare secured on the outside ofthe backing strip when the backing strip is arranged in the roll 22.Arranged on the top of the side plates: 11 and 12, and above thesupporting means for the roll of backed labels,

. is a breaker member 26, the breaker member being substantiallyhorizontally arranged and having a bottom'surface 27 and a top surface29 terminating in a relatively sharp trailing edge 28. One end of thebreaker member 26 is provided with a bracket 30 carrying pivot pins 31for pivotally mounting the breaker member in suitable brackets carriedby the side plate 12. The other end of the breaker member 26 is providedwith a bracket 32 which rests upon the topof the side plate 11 when thebreaker member is in the substantially horizontal position. The breakermember may be pivoted from the substantially horizontal position to araised position as illustrated in Fig. 8 to assist in stringing thebacking strip thereover and to provide access to the equipment below thebreaker member when desired. The breaker member may be latched in thehorizontal and operative position by a latch spring 33 carried by theside plate 11. A heater element in the form of an electrical resistanceheater 34 is arranged within the hollow breaker member 26 and may besuitably held in place therein by a clip 35, The purpose of the heater34 is to heat the lower surface 27 of the breaker member 26 for, inturn, heating the backing strip and label to assist in breaking thelabel from the backing strip. The bottom surface'27 is pro: vided with aguide surface 36 for guiding the backing strip 23 toward the feedingmeans. i

Secured between the side plates 11 and 12 is a trans verse plate 38which carries a substantially semi-circular guide member 39, the upperend of this guide member extending below and closely adjacent to thebottom sur; face 27 of the breaker member 26. The backing strip 23, withthe labels 24. secured thereto, extends from the roll 22 of backedlabels in the supporting means therefor and passes upwardly over theguide means 39 which guides the backing strip against the bottom surface27 of the breaker member 26 as shown more clearly in Fig. 7. The

' backing strip 23 extends beyond the bottom surface dispensedsubstantially horizontally, as illustrated in Fig.

7 with their adhesive sides facing upwardly. The heater elementboperates to heat the adhesive to assist in break ing the labels from thebacking strip.

The feeding means for gripping and pulling the backing strip over thebreaker member-26, is located adjacent the front of the machine andincludes a pair or toothed rollers 41 and 42 which are journaled forrotation in the side plates 11 and 12. The teeth on these toothedrollers 41 and 42 intermesh and operate to grip the backing strip 23firmly therebetween. The toothed rollers 41 and 42 are driven by a gear43 meshing with the toothed roller 42 and carried by a shaft 44 drivenby a motor 45 mounted on the outside of the side plate 12.. Thus, as themotor 45 is operated, the toothed rollers 41 and 42 of the feeding meansare rotated to grip and pull the backing strip 23. A guard 46 is secured between the side plates 11 and 12 over the toothed rollers 41 and42 to prevent any possible injury there from.

The labels 24 which are sequentially dispensed with their adhesive sidesfacing upwardly are dispensed onto a platform which may take the form ofan endless belt conveyor. Here, the platform or conveyor includes achannel-shaped supporting member 50 having a top surface and downwardlydepending legs which are secured by screws and nuts 51 to the sideplates 11 and 12, as shown more clearly in Figs. 4 to 7. The ends of thechannel-shaped supporting member 56 are bent downwardly as indicated at53 and'a bottom plate 55 is secured between the legs of the supportingmember 50 to define an enclosed vacuum chamber. The top of the channelmember 50 is provided with a longitudinally extending opening havingdownwardly extending legs 54 for providing a support to the centerportion thereof. This opening communicates with the interior vacuumchamber. The vacuum chamber communicates through an opennig 56 in thechannel member 50 and the side plate 51 with a housing 57 suitablysecured to the outside of the side plate 12. This housing 57communicates with the inlet side of a blower 58 mounted on the inside ofthe side plate 12, this communication being afforded by a suitableopening through the side plate 12. The blower 58 is driven by anelectric motor 59 carried thereby and, as illustrated, a portion of thismotor 59 extends through an opening in the side plate 11 by which it isalso supported. The blower 58, when operated by the electric motor 59,creates a vacuum within the vacuum chamber in the channel-shapedsupporting member 50, the blower discharging through an outlet passage60 therein.

A roller 62 carried by a shaft 63 is journaled for rotation between theside plates 11 and 12 as shown more clearly in Figs. 7 and 8. A gear 64is secured to the end of the shaft 63 extending through the side. plate12, and meshing with this gear 64 is a gear 65 mounted on a shaft 66also carried by the side plate 12. The gear 65 is driven by a gear 67mounted on a shaft 68 which is driven by an electricmotor 69 suitablysecured to the ated the gears :67, 65 and 64 operate to rotate theroller 62 in a clockwise direction as illustrated in Fig. 7.

The outer end of the channel-shaped supporting member 50 has a pair ofbrackets 71 adjustably secured thereto by screws 72 extending throughslots in the brackets. A roller 74 is rotatably mounted by a shaft 73extending between the brackets 71 and extending over the rollers 62 and74 and about the vacuum chamber formed within the supporting member 50is an endless belt 75. Thus, as the roller 62 is rotated, the belt 75 isdriven to convey the labels 24 away from the breaker member 26.Preferably, the roller 62 is made of resilient material such as rubberor the like to provide a good driving connection between it and the belt75 and since the brackets 71 are adjustable, desired tension may bemaintained in the belt 75. The belt 75 is centrally provided with aplurality of perforations 76 which communicate with the central openingin the channel-shaped supporting member 50. Since a vacuum is maintainedin the vacuum chamber, the perforations 76 in the belt 75, whichcommunicate with the vacuum chamber, operate to hold the dispensedlabels 24 in desired position upon the belt 75 as they are beingadvancedthereby. Accordingly, accidental displacement of the labels 24on the belt 75 is eliminated.

Carried by the upper edges 'of the side plates 11 and 12, adjacent thetrailing edge 28'of the breaker member 26, is a pair of bifurcatedbrackets 80, in which there is journalled for rotation a roller 81having annular ribs 82. The roller, by its own weight, is urged towardthe endless belt 75 and the purpose of this roller is to assist in theremoval of the labels 24 as they are broken from the backing strip 23.The manner in which this is accomplished is illustrated more clearly inFigs. 7 and 10. The annular ribs 82 on the roller 81 engage the.adhesive sides of the labels 24 as they are dispensed from the backingstrip 23'and operate effectively to prevent the labels from continuingaround the trailing edge 28 with the backing strip 23 and to assure thepositive dispensing of the labels on the endless belt 7 5. Because onlythe annular ribs 82 engage the adhesive sides of the labels 24, thelabels do not tend to adhere thereto.

The electric motors 45 and 69, for driving the feeding means and theconveyor, respectively, are enclosed within a housing 85 secured to theoutside of the side plate 12; This housing 85 also contains electricalcontrol equipment, including snap switches 86,87, 88, 89 and 90 forcontrolling the operation of themotor 45 for the feeding means, themotor 69 for the conveyor, the motor 59 for the blower and theelectrical resistance heating element 34. The housing 85 also carries apair of knobs 91 and 92 for operating rheostats 94 and 95, respectively,for the purpose of independently regulating the speed of operation ofthe motors 45 and 69. Thehousing 85 also carries an indicating lamp 93for indicating the operation of the heating element 34.

The manner in-which these various electrical devices are connectedtogether is illustratedyin Fig. 3. Here, electrical energy is suppliedby line wires 97 and 98, leading from a suitable source ofelectricalpower not shown. The indicating lamp 93 is connected inparallel with the resistance heater 34 and when the snap switch 89 isclosed the heater 34 is energized, which energizetion is indicated bythe lamp 93. The snap switch 88 is connected in series with the blowermotor 59 so that when it is closed the blower is operated. The snapswitch 87 and the rheostat are connected in series with the conveyormotor 69 and when the snap switch 87 is closed, the conveyor is operatedand it is operated at a speed determined by the adjustment of therheostat 95. The snap switch 86 and .the'rheostat 94 are connected inseries with the motor 45 for driving the feeding means and when the snapswitch 86 is closed, the feeding means is operated and it is operated ata speed dependent upon the, adjustment of the rheostat 94. The snapswitch 90 is located in series with all of the motors 45, 69 and 59 soas to de-energize all of them when it is opened so that all of themotors may be simultaneously stopped if this be desired.

Accordingly, when the snap switches 86 to 90 are closed, the feedingmeans is placed in operation, the conveyor is placed in operation, theblower is placed in operationand the heater 34 is energized. As aresult, the backing strip 23 the heater 34 is energized. As a result,the backing strip 23 is gripped and pulled over the breaker member 26 tocause the labels 24 to be broken therefrom and sequentially (dispensedonto the moving conveyor belt 75. The heater element 34 and the roller81 assist inbreaking the labels from thebacking strip and in dispensingthe same onto the moving conveyor belt with their adhesive sides facingupwardly. The blow er, operating to create a vacuum inthe vacuumchamber, covoperates with the perforations in the conveyor belt 75 tomaintain the labels in proper position uponthe cone veyor 'b'elt. Inusing this label dispensing machine, all that is necessary is to pressthe objects to be labeled onto theadhesive sides of the labelsas theyare being ad vanced along the conveyor, it not being nece's'saryto manually manipulate the labels. The machine, being portable, may be wheeledup to a work bench with the conveyor extending over the work bench sothat the labels are sequentially and conveniently brought to theoperator and the objects on the work bench. Motions required forplacings the labels on the objects are, therefore, reduced to a minimumand considerable time in labeling the objects is saved. By adjusting therheostat 94 through the knob 91, the rate at "which the labels aredispensed may be varied as desired and by adjusting the rheostat 95through the knob 92, the speed of the conveyor and hence the spacing ofthe dispensed labels along the con-' veyor may be varied as desired. Inother words, by adjusting the rate of label dispensing and the spacingof the labels along the conveyor, the machine may be regulated to suitthe convenience of the operator and the type of objects to be labeled.

While for purposes of illustration, one form of this invention has beendisclosed, other forms thereof may become apparent to those skilled inthe art upon reference to this disclosure and, therefore, this inventionis to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine for dispensing labels with their adhesive sides up froma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon, asubstantially horizontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface and a top surface terminating in a relatively sharp trailingedge, supporting means including tension means arranged below thebreaker member for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guide meansfor guiding the backing strip from the supporting means along the bottomsurface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly, saidbacking strip extending therebeyond over the trailing edge and the topsurface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping and pullingthe back-1 ing strip along the bottom surface over the trailing edge andalong the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bending thebacking strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labels fromthe backing strip with their adhesive sides-facing upwardly, and aplatform adjacent to and extending from beneath the trailing edge of thebreaker member for receiving the labels dispensed from the backing stripwith their adhesive sides up.

2. In a machine for dispensing labels with their adhesive sides up froma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon, asubstantially horizontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface and a top surface terminating in a relatively sharp trailingedge, supporting means including tension means arranged below thebreaker member for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guide meansfor guiding the backing strip from the supporting means along the bottomsurface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly, saidbacking strip extending therebeyond over the trailing edge and the topsurface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping and pullingthe backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailing edge andalong the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bending thebacking strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labels fromthe backing strip with their adhesive sides facing upwardly, and anendless belt conveyor adjacent to and extending from beneath thetrailing edge of the breaker member for receiving and conveying away thelabels dispensed from the backing strip with their adhesive sides up.

3. In a machine for dispensing labels with their adhesive sides up froma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon, asubstantially horizontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface and a top surface terminating in a relatively sharp trailingedge, supporting means including tension means arranged below thebreaker member for supporting a-roll efrsaidbacked labels, ,guide: meansfor guiding. the backing strip from the supporting means along thebottom surface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly,said backing strip extending therebeyond over the trailing edge and thetop surface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping andpulling the backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailingedge and along the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bendingthe backing strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labelsfrom the backing strip with their adhesive sides facing upwardly, aperforate endless belt conveyor adjacent to and extending from beneaththe trailing edge of the breaker member for receiving and conveying awaythe labels dispensed from the backing strip with their adhesive sidesup, and a vacuum box in communication with the perforate endless beltconveyor for maintaining the dispensed labels in position upon theconveyor. i M

4; In a machine for dispensing labels with their ad hesive sides up froma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon, asubstantially horizontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface and a top surface terminating in a relatively sharp trailingedge, supporting means including tension means aranged below the breakermember for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guide means forguiding the backing strip from the supporting means along the bottomsurface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly, saidbacking strip extending therebeyond over the trailing edge and the topsurface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping and pullingthe back ing strip along the bottom surface over the trailing edge andalong the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bending thebacking strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labels fromthe backing strip with their adhesive sides facing upwardly, an endlessbelt conveyor adjacent to and extending from beneath the trailing edgeof the breaker member for receiving and conveying away the labelsdispensed from the backing strip with their adhesive sides up, meansincluding adjusting means for operating the feeding means at a desiredspeed for dispensing labels from the backing strip at a desired rate,and means including adjusting means for operating the conveyor at adesired speed for regulating the spacing of the dispensed labels alongthe conveyor.

5. In a machine for dispensing labels with their ad hesive sides up froma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon, asubstantially horizontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface and a top surface terminating in a relatively sharp trailingedge, supporting means including tension means arranged below thebreaker member for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guide meansfor guiding the backing strip fnom the supporting means along the bottomsurface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly, saidbacking strip extending therebeyond over the trailing edge and the topsurface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping and pullingthe backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailing edge andalong the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bending thebacking strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labels fromthe backing strip With their adhesive sides facing upwardly, a platformadjacent to and extending from beneath the trailing edge of the breakermember for receiving the labels dispensed from the backing strip withtheir adhesive sides up, and a roller adjacent the trailing edge of thebreaker member and urged toward the platform for engaging the" adhesivesides of the labels to assist in dispensing the same from the back striponto the platform.

6. In a machine for dispensing labels With their adhesive sides up froma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon, asubstantially horizontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface and a top surface terminating in arelatively sharp trailingedge, supporting means including tension means "7 arranged belowthebreaker member for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guide meansfor guiding the backing strip from the supporting means, along thebottom surface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly,said backing strip extending therebeyond over the trailing edge and thetop surface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping andpulling the backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailingedge and along the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bendingthe backing strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labelsfrom the backing strip With their adhesive sides facing upwardly, aheater arranged withinthe breaker member for heating the backing stripandlabels as they are pulled along the bottom surface of the breakermember to assist in breaking the labels from the backing strip, and aplatform adjacent to and extending from beneath the trailing edge of thebreaker member for receiving the labels dispensed from the backing stripwith their adhesive sides up.

7. In a machine for dispensing labels with their adhesive sides up froma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon, asubstantially horizontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface and a top surface terminating in a relatively sharp trailingedge, supporting means including tension means arranged below thebreaker member for supporting a rollof said backed labels, guide meansfor guiding the backing strip from the supporting means along the bottomsurface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly, saidbacking strip extending therebeyond over the trailing edge and the topsurface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping and pullingthe backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailing edge andalong the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bending thebacking strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labels fromthe backing strip with their adhesive sides facing upwardly, a heaterarranged within the breaker member for heating the backing strip andlabels as they are pulled along the bottom surface of the breaker memberto assist in breaking the labels from the backing strip, a platformadjacent to and extending from beneath the trailing edge of the breakermember for receiving the labels dispensed from the backing strip withtheir adhesive sides up, and a roller adjacent the trailing edge of thebreaker member and urged toward the platform for engaging the adhesivesides of the labels to assist in dispensing the same from the backingstrip onto the platform.

8. In a' machine for dispensing labels with their adhesive sides up froma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon, asubstantially horizontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface and a top surface terminating in a relatively sharp trailingedge, supporting means including tension means arranged below thebreaker member for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guide meansfor guiding the backing strip from the supporting means along the bottomsurface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly, saidbacking strip extending therebeyond over the trailing edge and the topsurface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping and pullingthe backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailing edge andalong the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bending thebacking strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labels fromthe backing strip with their adhesive sides facing upwardly, an endlessbelt conveyor adjacent to and extending from beneath the trailing edgeof the breaker member for receiving and conveying away the labelsdispensed from the backing strip with their adhesive sides up, and aroller adjacent the trailing edge of the breaker member and urged towardthe conveyor for engaging the adhesive sides of the labels to assistindispensing the same from the backing strip onto the conveyor.

9. In a machine for dispensing labels with their adhesive sides up froma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively' mounted thereon, asubstantially-hori-- zontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface and a top surface terminating in a relatively sharp trailingedge, supporting means including tension means arranged below thebreaker member for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guide meansfor guiding the backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailingedge and along the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bendingthe backing strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labelsfrom the backing strip with their adhesive sides facing upwardly, aperforate endless belt conveyor adjacent to and extending from beneaththe trailing edge of the breaker member for receiving. and conveyingaway the labels dispensed from the backing strip with their adhesivesides up, a roller adjacent the trailing edge of the breaker member andurged toward the conveyor for engaging the adhesive sides of the labelsto assist in dispensing the same from the backing strip onto theconveyor, and a vacuum box in communication with the perforate endlessbelt conveyor for maintaining the dispensed labels in position upon theconveyor.

- 10; In a machine for dispensing labels with their adhesive sides upfrom a rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mountedthereon, a substantially horizontally arranged breaker member having abottom surface and a top surface terminating in a relatively sharptrailing edge, supporting means including tension means arranged belowthe breakermember for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guidemeans for guiding the backing strip from the supporting means along thebottom surface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly,said backing strip extending therebeyond :over the trailing edge and thetop surface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping andpulling the backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailingedge and along the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bendingthe backing strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labelsfrom the backing strip with their adhesive sides facing upwardly, aperforate end less belt conveyor adjacent to and extending from beneaththe trailing edge of the breaker member for securing and conveying awaythe labels dispensed from the backing strip with their adhesive sidesup, a vacuum box in communication with the perforate endless beltconveyor for maintaining the dispensed labels in position upon theconveyor, means including adjusting means for operating the feedingmeans at a desired speed for dispensing labels from the backing strip ata desired rate, and means including adjusting meansfor operating theconveyor at a desired speed for regulating the. spacing of the dispensedlabels along the conveyor.

11. In a machine for dispensing labels with their adhesive sides up froma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon,asubstantially horizontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface and a top surface terminating in a relatively sharp trailingedge, supporting means including tension means arranged below thebreaker member for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guide meansfor-guiding the backing strip from the supporting means along the bot-'tom surface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly,said backing strip extending therebeyond over the trailing edge and thetop surface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping andpulling the backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailingedge and along the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bendingthe backing strip over the trailing edge veyor adjacent to and extendingfrom beneath the trailsesame veying away the labels dispensed from thebacking strip with their adhesive sides up, a roller adjacent thetrailing edge of the breaker member and urged toward the conveyor forengaging the adhesive sides of the labels to assist in dispensing thesame from the backing strip onto the conveyor, means including adjustingmeans for operating the feeding means at a desired speed for dispensinglabels from the backing strip at a desired rate, and means includingadjusting means for operating the conveyor at a desired speed forregulating the spacing of the dispensed labels along the conveyor.

12. In a machine for dispensing labels with their adhesive sides up froma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon, asubstantially horizontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface and a fop surface terminating in a relatively sharp trailingedge, supporting means including tension means arranged below thebreaker member for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guide meansfor-guiding the backing strip from the supporting means along the bottomsurface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly, saidbacking strip extending therebeyond over the trailing edge and the topsurface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping and pullingthe backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailing edge andalong the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bending thebacking strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labels fromthe backing strip with their adhesive sides facing upwardly, a perforateendless belt conveyor adjacent to and extending from beneath thetrailing edge of the breaker member for receiving and conveying away thelabels dispensed from the backing strip with their adhesive sides up, aroller adjacent the trailing edge of the breaker member and urged towardthe conveyor for engaging theadhesive sides of the labels to assist indispensing the same from the backing strip onto the conveyor, a vacuumbox in communication with the perforate endless belt conveyor formaintaining the dispensed labels in position upon the conveyor, meansincluding adjusting means for operating the feeding means at a desiredspeed for dispensing labels from the backing strip at a desired rate,and means including adjusting means for operating the conveyor at adesired speed for regulating the spacing of the dispensed labels alongthe conveyor.

13. In a machine for dispensing labels with their adhesive sides up froma rolled backing striphaving the labels adhesively mounted thereon, asubstantially horizontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface and a top surface terminating in a relatively sharp trailingedge, supporting means including tension means arranged below thebreaker member for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guide meansfor guidingthe backing strip from the supporting means along the bottomsurface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly, saidbacking strip extending therebeyond over the trailing edge and the topsurface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping and pullingthe backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailing edge andalong the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bendingthebacking strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labels fromthe backing strip with their adhesive sides facing upwardly, a heaterarranged within the breaker member for heating the backing strip andlabels as they ar'elpulled along the bottom surface of the breakermember to assist in breaking the labels from the backing strip, and anendless belt conveyor adjacent t and extending from beneath the trailingedge of the breaker member for receiving and conveying away the labelsdispensed from the backing strip with their adhesive sides up.

14. In a machine for dispensing labels with their adhesive sides up froma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon, asubstantially horizontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface anda top surface terminating in a relatively sharp trailingedge, supporting means including tension means arranged below thebreaker member for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guide meansfor guiding the backing strip from the'supporting means along the bottomsurface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly, saidbacking strip extending therebeyond over the trailing edge and the topsurface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping and pullingthe backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailing edge andalong the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bending thebacking strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labels fromthe backing strip with their adhesive sides facing upwardly, a heaterarranged within the breaker member for heating the backing strip andlabels as they are pulled along the bottom surface of the breaker memberto assist in breaking the labels from the backing strip, a perforateendless belt conveyor adjacent to and extending from beneath thetrailing edge of the breaker member for receiving and conveying away thelabels dispensed from the backing strip with their adhesive sides up,and a vacuum box in communication with the perforate endless beltconveyor for maintaining the dispensed labels in position upon theconveyor.

15 In a machine for dispensing labels with their adhesive sides up froma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon, asubstantially horizontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface and a top surface terminating in a relatively sharp trailingedge, supporting means including: tension means arranged below thebreaker member for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guide meansfor guiding the backingstrip from 'the supporting means along the bottomsurface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly, saidbacking strip extending therebeyond over thetrailing edge and the topsurface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping and pullingthe backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailing edge andalong the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bending thebacking strip over the trailing edge thereofto break the labels from thebacking strip with the their adhesive sides facing upwardly, a heaterarranged within the breaker member for heating the backing strip andlabels as they are pulled along the bottom surface of the breaker memberto assistin breaking the labels from the backing strip, an endless beltconveyor adjacent to and extending from beneath the trailing edge of thebreaker member for receiving and conveying away the labels dispensedfrom the backing strip with their adhesive sides up, and a rolleradjacent the trailing edge of the breaker member and urged toward theconveyor for engaging the adhesive sides of the labels to assist'i'ndispensing the same from the backing strip onto the conveyor.

"16. In a machine for dispensing labels with their adhesive sides upfrom a rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mountedthereon, a substantially horizontally arranged breaker member'having abottom surface and a top surface terminating in a relatively sharptrailing edge, supporting means including tension means arranged belowthe breaker member for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guidemeans for guiding the backingstrip from the supporting means along thebottom surface of the "breaker member with the labels facing downwardly,said backing strip extending therebeyond over the trailing edge and thetop surface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping andpulling the backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailingedge and along the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bendingthe backing strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labelsfrom the backing strip with 11" of the breaker member to assist inbreaking the labels from the backing strip, a perforate endless beltconveyor adjacent to and extending from beneath the trailing edge of thebreaker member for receiving and conveying away pensed labels inposition upon the conveyor.

17. In a machine for dispensing labels with their adhesive sides up froma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon, asubstantially horizontally arranged breaker member having abottomrsurface and a top surface terminating in a relatively sharptrailing edge, supporting means including tension means arranged belowthe breaker member for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guidemeans for guiding the backing strip from the supporting means along thebottom surface of the breaker member with the labels facing downwardly,said backing strip extending t-herebeyond over the trailing edge andthetop surface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping andpulling the backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailingedge and along the top surface of the breaker member for sharply bendingthe backing strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labelsfrom the backing strip with their adhes ive sides facing upwardly, aheater arranged within the breaker member for heating the backing stripand labels asthey. are pulled along the bottom surface of thebreaker-member to assist in breaking the labels from the backing strip,an endless belt conveyor adjacent to and extending from beneath thetrailing edge of the breaker member for receiving and conveying away thelabels dispensed from thebacking strip with their..adhesive sides up, aroller adjacent the trailing edge of the-breaker member and urged towardthe conveyor for engaging theadhesive sides of the labels to assist -indispensing the same from the backing strip onto the conveyor,-,rneansincluding adjusting meansfor operating the feeding means at a desiredspeed for dispensing labels from the backing strip at a desired rate,and means including adjusting means for operating the conveyor at adesired speed forregulatin'g the'spacing of the dispensed labels alongthe conveyor. 7

18. In a machine for dispensing labels with their ad hesive sides upfroma rolled backing strip having the labels adhesively mounted thereon,a substantially horizontally arranged breaker member having a bottomsurface and a to'p'surface' terminatingin a relatively sharp trailingedge, supporting meansincluding tension 7 means arranged belowthebreaker member for supporting a roll of said backed labels, guide meansfor guiding the backing strip from the supporting means along the bottomsurface of the'breaker member with the labels facing downwardly, saidbacking strip extending therebeydnd over the trailing edge and the topsurface of the breaker member, feeding means for gripping and pullingthe backing strip along the bottom surface over the trailing edge andalong the top'surface of the breaker member for sharply bending, thebacking strip over the trailing edge thereof to break the labels fromthe backing strip with their adhesive sides facing upwardly, a

12 heater arranged within the breaker-member for heating the backingstrip and labels as they are pulled along the bottom surface of thebreaker member to assist in breaking the labels from the backing strip,a perforate endless veyor, means includingadjusting means for operatingthe feeding means at a desired speed for dispensing labels from thebacking strip at a desired rate, and means eluding adjusting means foroperating the conveyor at a desired speed for regulating the spacing ofthe dispensed labels along the conveyor.

19. In a machine for dispensing labels from a rolled backing striphaving the labels adhesively mounted thereon and facing downwardly fromthe bottom face thereof as the backing strip is advanced, meansincluding guide means, a breaker member and feeding means for pullingand advancing the backing strip with the labels facing downwardly fromthe bottom face of the backing strip from underneath, around and overthe breaker member for dispensing labels at the breaker member from thebottom face of the advancing backing strip with' their adhesive sidesfacing upwardly, and an endless belt conveyor extending from beneath thebreaker member for receiving and conveying away the labels dispensedwiththeir adhesive sides up. 3

20. In a machine for dispensing labels from a rolledbacking strip havingthe labels adhesively mounted thereon and facing downwardly from thebottom face thereof as the backing strip is advanced, means includingguide means, a breaker member and feeding means for pulling andadvancing the backing strip with the labels facing downwardly from thebottom face of the backing strip from underneath, around and over thebreaker member for dispensing labels at the breaker member from thebottom face of the advancing backing strip with their adhesive sides upfacing upwardly, an endless belt conveyor extending from beneath thebreaker member for receiving and conveying away the labels dispensedwith their adhesive sides up, means including adjusting means foroperating the feeding means at a desired speed for dispensing labelsfrom the backing strip at a desired rate, and means including adjustingmeans for operating the conveyor at a desired speed for regulating thespacw ing of the dispensed labels along the conveyor.

ReferencesCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

